— bordered , adj. — borderless , adj.
/bawr"deuhr/ , n.
1. the part or edge of a surface or area that forms its outer boundary.
2. the line that separates one country, state, province, etc., from another; frontier line: You cannot cross the border without a visa.
3. the district or region that lies along the boundary line of another.
4. the frontier of civilization.
5. the border ,
a. the border between the U.S. and Mexico, esp. along the Rio Grande.
b. (in the British Isles) the region along the boundary between England and Scotland.
6. brink; verge.
7. an ornamental strip or design around the edge of a printed page, a drawing, etc.
8. an ornamental design or piece of ornamental trimming around the edge of a fabric, rug, garment, article of furniture, etc.
9. Hort.
a. a long, narrow bed planted with flowers, shrubs, or trees.
b. a strip of ground in which plants are grown, enclosing an area in a garden or running along the edge of a walk or driveway.
c. the plants growing in such a strip: a border of tulips along the path.
10. Theat.
a. a narrow curtain or strip of painted canvas hung above the stage, masking the flies and lighting units, and forming the top of the stage set.
b. See border light .
v.t.
11. to make a border around; adorn with a border.
12. to form a border or boundary to.
13. to lie on the border of; adjoin.
v.i.
14. to form or constitute a border; be next to: California borders on the Pacific Ocean.
15. to approach closely in character; verge: The situation borders on tragedy.
[ 1325-75; ME bordure bord ( er ) to border (deriv. of bord ship's side, edge -ure -URE ]
Syn. 1. rim, periphery, verge. See edge. 2. See boundary .